employer being 'offish' due to childcare issues

cobbingstones

Hi all

I'm in a bit of a state to be honest! My employer is being really odd with me lately because of the time off I have had to have. I started there part-time in September and I enjoy my job, but my two children have been ill it seems non stop. I have taken five days off due to being called from work because they have been ill, then I have a dreadful illness over Christmas then off course I couldn't go in due to the school being closed because of the snow!

His frustration at me not being there is all non verbal, but its really worried me because I'm scared of losing my job. I appreciate they're point of view and understand its hard when I'm not there.

What would you do?

SandC

I would have an informal chat with him and just explain how you are feeling and that the circumstances have unfortunately been exceptional in terms of having to have time off. Bear in mind he has nothing to go on but 4/5 months worth of employment so he perhaps just needs a verbal reassurance from you that you are fully committed to your role.

By initiating this yourself, rather than it possibly coming from him will probably give him greater confidence in your expectations of the role itself.

Oldernotwiser

Did you have a medical note for being signed off at Christmas?

DaisyFlower

I agree having a chat before its prompted by your boss is usually always best. Being there for less than 6 months and already having quite a bit of time off is probably sending warning signals to them and you've picked up on that.

You may need to re-assure him you have made arrangements to assist in future, ie your OH shares the responsibility, childcare in place for snow days etc - presume you have childcare for the school holidays so can you not utilise this?

If your own sickness was covered by a sick note (bearing in mind it was christmas) then theres not much they can do re that on the first occurence.
However they can dismiss for pretty much any reason within the first year of employment.

cobbingstones

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Did you have a medical note for being signed off at Christmas?

No. I had the horrible 'flu virus which I caught from work. Everybody there bar one had it.

cobbingstones

DaisyFlower wrote: »

I agree having a chat before its prompted by your boss is usually always best. Being there for less than 6 months and already having quite a bit of time off is probably sending warning signals to them and you've picked up on that.

You may need to re-assure him you have made arrangements to assist in future, ie your OH shares the responsibility, childcare in place for snow days etc - presume you have childcare for the school holidays so can you not utilise this?

If your own sickness was covered by a sick note (bearing in mind it was christmas) then theres not much they can do re that on the first occurence.
However they can dismiss for pretty much any reason within the first year of employment.

I doubt very much that my dh would have time off, he always expects me too. I have no family or friends who could look after them and if a childminder was an option I would have to pay a retainer, also cost per day and also pay the pre school.

Oldernotwiser

cobbingstones wrote: »

No. I had the horrible 'flu virus which I caught from work. Everybody there bar one had it.

So, were you only off for less than 5 days - flu usually lasts far longer. The reason that I ask is that it always looks suspicious if you're off over an important holiday period without presenting a certificate - particularly if you have children.

Oldernotwiser

cobbingstones wrote: »

I doubt very much that my dh would have time off, he always expects me too. I have no family or friends who could look after them and if a childminder was an option I would have to pay a retainer, also cost per day and also pay the pre school.

So does that mean that you have NO backup in place for family emergencies? It's going to be very difficult to reassure your boss about your future reliability if that's the case.

DaisyFlower

Your DH needs to realise they are his children too and should share the responsibility unless in a job where he cannot cover - ie army etc.

How do you cover the school holidays?

With all the time off plus taking christmas off, its not hard to see why your employer is acting this way.

cobbingstones

I'm very lucky with regard school hols. I can work evenings instead.

cobbingstones

I was off at Christmas due to being ill.